PSA INTERNATIONAL STEREO EXHIBITIONS

This month last year we talked about the Stereo Division of the Photographic Society of America (PSA-SD, Stereogram 2.9). In this issue we will take a closer look at one of the central activities of PSA-SD: Stereo Exhibitions.

One way is to think of it as a “competition” like the ones we have in our club. Stereo photographers from all over the world send in their best images. These are judged by a panel of 3 judges who score them just like in our competitions. About 40% of the stereo images are “accepted” in the Exhibition and the top 10% of them win awards.

The focus and the end result of this process is not the “competition” (which is needed for the selection of the best images) but the Exhibition. The sponsors of the event are awarded by a collection of some of the best contemporary stereo images which they can exhibit locally before returning them to their owners. The photographers (“exhibitors”) are rewarded by seeing their good work recognized and exhibited to the public.

Any individual or organization can sponsor a Stereo Exhibition but most stereo exhibitions are sponsored by stereo clubs. The main reason for doing so is to collect and showcase some of the best contemporary stereo work. For example, if our club sponsors a Stereo slide Exhibition then we can show the accepted slides in our club and several public showings and possibly influence local people to get started in stereo photography.

The other reason for sponsoring a Stereo Exhibition is that the sponsors believe that this system encourages good stereo photography and they want to be part of it.

All stereo photographers should be eligible to enter a Stereo Exhibition, provided that they follow the rules outlined in the entry form.

Personally, I enjoy the process of selecting my entries (having to think about my images, which ones I like and why, and which ones others will like too), the anticipation of the results and personal satisfaction seeing some of my images being considered as good as those from well-known and admired stereo photographers. Of course, there is also the drawback, possible disappointment in seeing some of my best work not accepted in an exhibition. But, I can always blame the judges for that (J Big Smile here!) or (better) I can try harder next time!

The discussion so far has made no reference to PSA. PSA as an organization sponsors a Stereo Exhibition (one of the public showings in the annual PSA convention) but this is a minor contribution.

PSA’s major contribution is that it has set certain exhibition standards. If these standards are met then the results of the selection process are recognized by PSA.

The PSA standards cover a lot of important details concerning the conditions for sending, judging, exhibiting and returning the images, the publication of results, etc. Individual PSA divisions have their own additional standards. For example, the Stereo Division dictates the size of the projection screen and range of illumination of the stereo projector.

The bottom line is that PSA wants to make sure that the selection process and the Exhibition are conducted in a consistent, fair and orderly manner.

PSA standards offer time-tested guidelines for the sponsors and the PSA recognition means a “peace of mind” for the exhibitors. As a photographer you know that your valuable stereo images will be treated with respect and judged with fairness.

Also, PSA maintains a rating system (“Star Rating”) that recognizes photographic ability based on the number of acceptances a photographer receives in PSA-recognized exhibitions. Many stereo photographers are proud to say that they are “x star exhibitors”.

There are about a dozen Stereo slide and a dozen stereo print PSA-recognized Exhibitions all over the world every year. Future exhibitions are listed in the “PSA Journal” which also lists periodic star ratings and accumulated annual results.

First, you don’t have to be a PSA member to enter a PSA-recognized Stereo Exhibition. A good starting point is the “Non-star Exhibition”, sponsored once a year by the Potomac Society of Stereo Photographers. Only photographers who have not met the requirements for one star are eligible to enter. Because of this restriction, the results do not count towards the star rating but give the new exhibitors a taste of the process in a less competitive environment.

To enter the “real thing” you can write to the exhibition chairman to request an entry form (sooner or later you will be placed in a database and receive these forms automatically). You then fill in the form and return it with your slides (and usually a check for $6 or $10) before the closing date. The results are mailed a few days after the judging in the form of a postcard. (The Internet is quickly changing this, with entry forms and results posted in a web site.) A catalog (many times illustrated in color) is distributed later to all who enter.

Some people are concerned about mailing valuable original stereo images. I can only share my personal experience that for 4 years I have not had one lost or damaged.

For the reasons outlined earlier, I think we should! As a new exhibition to be PSA-SD-approved we need to apply 9 months before the closing date. The application form requires that we set the dates (closing date, judging date, etc.) and appoint an “Exhibition Chairman” who is in charge. We need to decide on the details (judges, awards, etc.) and create the entry form. This will be mailed to a database of active exhibitors, plus anyone who asks for it. Our exhibition will be listed in the PSA Journal and we will be responsible to carry it out as planned.

The impression I get is that this is hard & responsible work for a few people, but a rewarding experience overall and a benefit for our club and stereo photography in our area.

Reach For the Stars!

Rating	Accept- ances	Min. Slides
1 star	18	6
2 star	36	12
3 star	72	24
4 star	144	48
5 star	288	75

PSA maintains a rating system for stereo photographers, based on the number of images accepted in PSA-recognized exhibitions. This is known as the "star rating". The world's top stereo exhibitor today [May 1999] is Dr. Albert Sieg with over 1000 acceptances! Following him are Allan Griffin from Australia and Valeria Sardy.

Photographer ratings on an annual basis are published in the May issue of the PSA Journal under “Who’s Who in Stereo.”

Stereo Hall of Fame

Once a stereo slide is accepted in an exhibition, it cannot be submitted again in the same exhibition. So if a slide is accepted by all exhibitions, it must then be retired.

As a way to recognize some of the best stereo images entered in Stereo Exhibitions and make them available to future generations of stereo photographers, PSA has instituted the “Stereo Hall of Fame”. A slide must be accepted in at least 8 exhibitions to qualify for admission to the “Hall of Fame”. When enough slides are collected, they are put together in an audiovisual presentation which then becomes available for loan to stereo clubs.

Our program last month was the “Stereo Hall of Fame no V” and was very much enjoyed by club members. This particular program had its first showing in the PSA Convention in Scottsdale AZ in 1989 and it was dedicated to Seton Rochwite, the inventor of the Stereo Realist.

I am personally looking forward to seeing more of these exceptional stereo images in future club presentations! - Ed.